On 22 October 2026, Ecuador’s Internal Revenue Service (SRI) inaugurated a new taxpayer service agency in Esmeraldas, expanding the tax administration’s physical presence in the coastal province. The move aligns with the government’s broader strategy to decentralize tax services, reduce compliance burdens for local businesses and individuals, and enhance voluntary compliance through improved accessibility. The new agency will provide a full range of services including tax registration, filing assistance, payment processing, and dispute resolution, operating under the standard SRI regulatory framework governed by the Tax Code (Codigo Tributario) and the Organic Law of the Internal Revenue Service.
The legal basis for the new agency stems from Resolution No. NAC-DGERCGC26-00012, issued on 15 October 2026, which authorizes the creation of decentralized service units in provinces with high taxpayer density but limited SRI infrastructure. The resolution cites Article 12 of the Organic Law of the SRI, mandating the administration to facilitate taxpayer compliance through accessible service channels. The agency will operate Monday through Friday, 08:00-17:00, and will initially focus on assisting microenterprises enrolled in the RIMPE regime, which accounts for over 60% of active taxpayers in Esmeraldas. Additionally, the office will coordinate with the municipal government to cross-reference business licensing data, enhancing detection of unregistered economic activity.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by the Director General of the SRI, who emphasized that the Esmeraldas agency represents a critical step in the institution’s territorialization plan, which aims to establish a service point in every province by 2027. The agency is staffed with trained tax advisors and equipped with digital kiosks linked directly to the SRI en Linea platform, enabling real-time processing of tax identification numbers (RUC), electronic invoicing authorizations, and personal expense deduction updates. This hybrid model reflects the SRI’s dual-track modernization strategy: deepening digital adoption while maintaining physical touchpoints for complex cases and populations with limited internet access.
Key Takeaways
- Decentralized Service Delivery: The Esmeraldas agency brings SRI services closer to over 500,000 residents, eliminating the need for taxpayers to travel to Quito or Guayaquil for in-person assistance, thereby reducing indirect compliance costs and processing times.
- Digital Integration: The physical office complements SRI’s digital transformation agenda, offering hybrid support where taxpayers can initiate procedures online and finalize them in person, ensuring seamless integration with the SRI en Linea portal and electronic invoicing system.
- Compliance and Revenue Impact: By improving access to tax guidance and formalization support, the agency targets increased registration of informal businesses in the region, broadening the tax base and supporting the government’s revenue mobilization goals for 2026-2027.
Disclaimer: This article is compiled and summarized by the AI based on publicly available information and is for general information purposes only. It does not constitute any form of formal tax advice, legal opinion, or basis for performance. Please consult a qualified professional tax advisor or legal counsel for tax advice.
Source: Read Official Announcement